Police vs Agius — Bar Owner Found With Taser During Drug Raid Convicted of Noise, Breach of Peace and Illegal Weapon

Police raided Red Stars bar in Zejtun in connection with drug trafficking and found a taser on the premises. The bar owner was arrogant throughout and hinted she knew about the drug squad's plans in advance.

Court of Magistrates (Malta) — Criminal · Magistrate Dr. Monica Vella LL.D., M.Jur. · 7 March 2025

On 19 September 2021, police raided the Red Stars bar in Zejtun in connection with a drug trafficking investigation. Several patrons were found with drugs. Inside, behind the bar, police found a high-powered stun gun (K 95 type taser). Amanda Agius, the person behind the bar, commented: 'What do you expect — in a place like this you'd have a taser.' Loud music was audible from the street even with the aluminium door closed, and people were seen smoking inside. The prosecution charged Agius with six licensing-related offences and illegal possession of a stun gun. The court found the licensing evidence weak and contradictory — the documents produced related to a different establishment at a different address. The police had not properly identified the licensed premises. The Tourism Authority witness was also criticised for presenting an incomplete affidavit. However, the court found clear evidence of noise violations and breach of peace (loud music disturbing the neighbourhood) and the taser — which Agius effectively admitted to knowing about. The stun gun is classified as a prohibited weapon under Ch. 480 Schedule 1. The court made two additional orders: notifying the Police Commissioner about Agius's comments suggesting she had advance knowledge of the drug squad operation, and notifying the Tourism Authority CEO to improve the quality of evidence presented by its officers.

Guilty of charges 3 (night noise), 4 (breach of public peace) and 7 (illegal possession of taser). Acquitted of charges 1, 2, 5 and 6 (licensing violations — insufficient evidence). Sentenced to 3 months imprisonment suspended for 1 year, plus €80 fine. Taser confiscated. All firearms licences revoked. Disqualified from holding any licence under Ch. 480 for 3 years.

• Possessing a stun gun (taser) in Malta is illegal unless specifically licensed — it is classified as a regulated weapon under the Arms Act (Ch. 480)
• Acknowledging you know about a prohibited weapon on your premises ('what do you expect, in a place like this') is treated as admission of possession
• Weak or wrong licensing documentation undermines prosecution — the court here acquitted on licensing charges because the evidence referred to the wrong premises
• A court can order its judgments to be sent to the Commissioner of Police or other authorities if it identifies serious concerns arising from the case

Criminal Code Ch. 9 Arts. 338(dd) (breach of peace), 338(m) (night noise); Arms Act Ch. 480 Arts. 3, 51, 56, 57 — illegal firearm possession and confiscation